Assessment of Scientific Information Concerning StarLink® Corn Cry9C Bt Corn Plant-Pesticide

Zusammenfassung

On October 25, 2000, Aventis CropScience (Aventis) submitted new information in support of its petition (PP 9F5050) for an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for the genetically engineered "plant-pesticide" materials in StarLink corn. These materials are the Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tolworthi Cry9C protein and the genetic material (DNA) necessary for the production of this protein. While the original petition requested an exemption covering both the Cry9C DNA and Cry9C protein in all food commodities, this submission limits the request only to foods made from StarLink corn. The Aventis submission specifically addresses the potential allergenicity of the Cry9C protein that may be present in human food made from StarLink corn, a line of genetically modified corn developed by Aventis. This notice provides information on Aventis' submission and outlines the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's process for seeking public comment on and external scientific review of the new information.